Men face key health threats as they age. There’s often overlap between health needs for men and women, but some health issues are unique to men. Out of the leading causes of death, men lead women in all of them except Alzheimer’s disease. And on average, men die 5 years earlier than women. We can change these statistics by raising awareness about health risks for men, encouraging boys and men to implement healthy living decisions, and advocating for annual doctor visits that allows for important physical exam checks.
While many of the health threats men face are biological, their approach to health plays a role too. Research shows men are less likely than women to see their primary care physician. This is especially true when they aren’t experiencing any immediate health concerns. But staying healthy and preventing health problems will help you live a longer, healthier life.
Many of the following health risks can be prevented. Take steps to avoid them by knowing the symptoms, having regular checkups with your doctor, and choosing healthy lifestyle choices.
- Heart Disease – 1 in 3 men have some form of cardiovascular disease. It’s estimated that 2.8 million men experience a stroke each year and hypertension is occurring more frequently in younger men.
- Respiratory Disease – Men are statistically more likely to smoke than women. Almost all cases of COPD and lung cancer are caused by smoking, and tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.
- Cancer – According to the CDC, the leading causes of cancer death in men are lung cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. Men are also at a higher risk for developing skin cancer – more than twice as often as women.
- Erectile Dysfunction – Erectile dysfunction is a common health problem amongst men. Many health issues that cause ED can be treated.
- Depression and Suicide – Men experience depression differently than women, often feeling more anger and fatigue. They’re also less likely to acknowledge the condition and seek help. Though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more successful with their suicide attempts.
- Diabetes – More men than women have diabetes that’s undiagnosed. Diabetes can cause symptoms in men that are related to sexual health. It also puts men at risk for heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney failure, even amputation of a toe, foot, or leg.
- Influenza and Pneumonia – Viruses and infections can cause serious health complications for everyone. Older men and men with certain health conditions are at high risk for complications from flu and pneumonia.
- Liver Disease – The disease is common in people between 40 and 50 years of age. Men are more likely to have this problem. However, women may develop the disease after less exposure to alcohol than men. Some people may have an inherited risk for the disease.
- Kidney Disease – There are no symptoms of kidney disease that are specific to men. While the need to urinate more often can be a sign of kidney disease in both men and women, it can also be a symptom of an enlarged prostate in men.
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Alzheimer’s Disease – Men with Alzheimer’s tend to have fewer of the most common symptoms of the disease. While studies show that men with Alzheimer’s are less likely to show damage to the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory, men are more likely than women to develop aphasia, a condition linked to language problems. Men also have greater incidences of corticobasal degeneration, which leads to mobility and movement challenges.
Understanding health risks will help men make more informed decisions about their health. The leading causes of death for men may not be entirely preventable, but with healthy lifestyle choices, risks can be decreased. Healthy lifestyle choices include:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet for optimal nutrition and weight management
- Avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol
- Implementing stress management practices
- Attending regular doctor visits
To ensure you stay in the best health, don’t just visit your doctor when you’re sick. Make a habit of scheduling an annual wellness exam and catch health issues before they become serious.